Table of Contents
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Microphone
- Broadcast quality, professional-grade Lavalier Mic with TRRS Jack
- High-quality omnidirectional condenser capsule; discrete 4.5 millimeter miniature microphone
- Kevlar reinforced cable ensures that you never stretch or snap your microphone under normal usage...
The Rode SmartLav+ is one of the best lavalier microphones for smartphones. You can use it with a DSLR or audio recorder, but you may need a TRRS to TRS adapter like the Rode SC3. The smartLav + offers exceptional sound and build quality, which is rare for devices of this size. It is an omni-directional condenser microphone, which means that it picks up sound from all angles. It is built with a windshield to reduce wind noise and explosions. The cable is Kevlar reinforced and the clip is strong so you don’t have to worry about it falling off.The Rode Smart Lav + is a lavalier microphone designed for use in interviews and other audio tasks where it is necessary to have a microphone close to the subject. It is advertised as a broadcast quality microphone and I have to say that after using it the audio quality is good.
The sound quality is clear and well defined with a good signal-to-noise ratio. It comes with a foam protector to prevent explosives and a sturdy metal clip to secure it to clothing. It has no gain control, so you cannot adjust the audio level when entering the smartphone. This is not a problem for apps with adjustable gain, but it could be a problem when using Facebook live. The solution to this is to place the microphone slightly lower on the subject if the sound is too loud. It is not ideal but it solves the problem.
Rode smartLav + is an omni-directional lavalier microphone specially designed for smartphones. It may not be the best microphone on the market, but it certainly offers excellent quality for the price points. For a smartphone, you don’t need a high-end microphone anyway. Ease of use is much more important: this device does not require special applications or sophisticated adapters; just plug it in and go. You get significantly better sound quality with this mic than with any built-in mic, and that’s for sure. Best used to record a single person’s speech, with or without video.
Sanken COS-11D Lavalier Microphone
Sanken COS-11D is a high-end omnidirectional lavalier widely used in professional broadcasting. It is very small (only 4mm in diameter) and is easily hidden under clothing. The top three benefits are size, the most natural open sound, and the fact that it makes the least handling noise when rubbing clothes. Sanken is a long-established Japanese manufacturer and COS-11D is possibly the most popular microphone they have ever produced. In professional broadcasting there are many expensive ties that sound good but in the end; It all comes down to ease of use and the form factor where this mic is unrivaled.
Sanken COS-11D has an omni-directional pattern, which means it doesn’t matter, say, if you turn it 90 degrees off-axis, and it hardly makes a difference when a talent turns their head while speaking. Although many microphones are labeled omnidirectional, there is still a tendency to become directional at higher frequencies. For the COS-11D, there is only about 2 dB difference when the axis is off at 180 kHz to 20 kHz, which is fine. The Omni pattern also helps reduce handling noise so common in washing machines when they rub against clothes. In addition, it has a special coating to reduce creaking, which is considered one of the most tolerant.
The microphone is also built to last and has a very durable outer shell. Its water-resistant mesh keeps the diaphragm dry and protected from moisture, sweat, makeup, and inclement weather. This robustness is the key to the longevity and continuous high-end performance of this famous micro sink. In terms of sound capture, the Sanken COS-11D has a consistent omni-directional pattern that greatly helps to capture consistent audio quality from the desired person / sound source. Its frequency response naturally cuts frequencies below 50Hz, effectively eliminating low-end noise and rumble in the microphone signal. The frequency has a pleasant peak centered around 6 kHz to help improve vocal presence and speech intelligibility. This is a welcome feature as the vast majority of lav microphone applications involve capturing the human voice.
Shure MVL Omnidirectional Condenser Lavalier Microphone
- Omnidirectional condenser microphone connects to portable devices for interviews, videography, and more...
- Features include RF interference protection, high signal to noise ratio, high SPL, and windscreen.
- Compatibility with the ShurePlus MOTIV Mobile Recording App and other iOS audio and video recording apps
Shure MVL is a new lavalier microphone with a TRRS connector designed for mobile devices. It belongs to the Shure Motiv line and comes with a practical mobile application for iOS users. Other users of the platform will have to rely on third-party software, but you should have no compatibility issues. This mic is also the worst of its new lineup and the sound quality is mediocre at best. It has its own strengths, for example it has a high SPL before clipping and can be used for recording indoors at noisy bars and parties. The sound is also quite crisp and clear. But the drawbacks are just too many, so it’s just not worth the money.
It has a 3.5mm TRRS connector and is compatible with any phone or tablet with a microphone jack. Although it was primarily designed to work with phones and tablets, it is also suitable for cameras or directly for a laptop. External interference and unwanted noise are canceled by Shure’s RF / GSM system, which leaves a clear signal. And the microphone clips onto clothing with a strong and stable clip. This clip is quite large and might be a bit difficult to hide.
Shure MVL has a very sharp response; it sounds kind of brilliant and it’s amazing. However, it also brings tons of air on the road and I don’t find it particularly comfortable, especially since it’s digitized. It tastes like someone is showering behind the scenes when the person starts talking. The frequency response is relatively neutral, so the tone is balanced overall, but at the same time it sounds harsh and distorted. The low end is slightly rolled up, but it’s pretty accurate and doesn’t sound small at all. This may be one of the reasons to love him. But the only reason to buy it would be the ability to work in a high sound pressure environment. Most lavs these days cut off when you yell or even clap. Still, Shure MVL can handle sounds much louder than that.
Audio-Technica ATR3350iS Omnidirectional Condenser Lavalier Mic with Smartphone Adapter
No products found.
The Audio-Technica ATR3350iS is another lav mic designed for cellphones, although it may also be used with a DSLR or an audio recorder. It includes an adapter for use with smartphones’ headphone jacks.
The wire is approximately 20 feet long, which is a significant improvement over the built-in phone mic, which costs around $30. With heavy use, the battery lasts roughly a month, and it comes with a windscreen.
Sony ECM77B Electret Condenser Lavalier Microphone
- Omni-directional lavalier condenser microphone with AA battery power supply and XLR connector
- Omni-directional lavalier condenser microphone with AA battery power supply and XLR connector
- Omni-directional lavalier condenser microphone with AA battery power supply and XLR connector
The Sony ECM77B is a circular condenser microphone that is widely used in the recording business. It’s frequently heard on the radio and on television. The Sony ECM77B is one of the world’s tiniest lavalier mics, with a capsule diameter of just 5.6mm. It’s also quite light, making it simple to attach to an interview subject – even if they’re moving about.
The frequency range of this mic is 40-20000 Hz, with a 90dB dynamic range. It’s an omnidirectional mic with a -52.0 dD sensitivity. The signal-to-noise ratio is more than 64db. It makes excellent acoustic recordings thanks to its great sensitivity, wide frequency range, and low self-noise. The power for this microphone comes from two places. It can be powered by phantom power or AA batteries.
Movo WMIC50 2.4GHz Wireless Lavalier Microphone System
- CORDLESS RECORDING: Wireless lapel microphone system includes transmitter with belt clip, receiver with...
- GREAT WIRELESS SOUND: The 2.4GHz Wireless system features internal boost antennas with 164-foot...
- 1-YEAR WARRANTY: We’ve got your back. Our products are designed to ease your technical woes, not add to...
The Movo WMIC50 uses a 2.4 GHz wireless technology. It includes an inbuilt antenna and can pick up sound from up to 164 feet away. It can be used in two ways: by belt-clipping a transmitter to the subject or by attaching a receiver on your camera or a tripod.
It also comes with a foam windscreen and two headphone ports, allowing it to catch voices with minimal background noise. The Movo WMCI50 runs on batteries. Both the transmitter and the receiver require two AAA batteries. You can obtain roughly 3.5-4 hours of recording duration with fully charged batteries. This is a reasonably priced alternative.
Earthworks DK7 Drum Kit System
Everything you need to mic a three-tom drum kit is included in the Earthworks DK7 Drum FullKit System sound levels. For close-miking toms and snares, you get four DM20 mics with Rim Mounts and windscreens, as well as two SR25 cardioids for overheads and one specifically developed SR20LS (low sensitivity) mic for bass drum. The mics are stored in a high-impact, road-worthy case that keeps each microphone with the mic mounts attached, saving you time during setup and teardown.
The Earthworks DM20 small-diaphragm condenser mic is a great stage and studio drum mic because of its modest size. The DM20 combines Earthworks’ world-class sonics with the dependability required for live sound applications. The DM20 takes the anxiety out of close placing on snare and tom toms with its robustness to withstand wayward stick knocks.
The right-angle capsule head and firm-yet-flexible gooseneck of the DM20 ensure that you can position the mic precisely where you want it – and that it will stay put. The DM20 captures the sweet spot brilliantly, with superb rejection of cymbals and stage noise, thanks to its near-perfect cardioid polar pattern. The RM1 RimMount bundled with the DM20 eliminates the need for mic stands.